Joy's Challenge Wrap-Up

I actually finished the reading for this challenge several weeks ago, but I didn't want to write a wrap-up until I had all the reviews written. Now that I've finished that task, I can say finis. I chose Level 2: A Walk in Hyde Park, which meant I read four books for the challenge. Started out with quite a list of possibilities, but as it turns out only two of the books I actually read were on that list. So, the best-laid plans and all that . . . .

Here's what I read, with links to reviews:

1. The Age of Innocence, by Edith Wharton
2. Angels & Insects, by A.S. Byatt
3. The Master, by Colm Toibin
4. The Valley of Fear, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

I'm also noticing that while all my books were set during the Victorian era, none was actually written then – something of a disappointment. Guess I'm just a modern girl at heart.

I enjoyed all the books, although of the four I think The Valley of Fear was one that didn't really live up to my expectations. My favorite was without a doubt The Age of Innocence – it's now on my list of all-time best reads, and it's inspired me to go back and give Wharton's House of Mirth another try, after abandoning it many years ago.

I want to thank Alex for coming up with the idea for the challenge and hosting, and all the other participants for all those great reviews and blog posts. This was a wonderful idea – I only wish I'd had time to read a little Trollope. Well, maybe next time.

[Cross-posted on my blog, Joy's Blog.]

Joy's Reading List: A Walk in the Park

To start with, I'm choosing Level 2, "A Walk in Hyde Park." Well, Hyde Park is lovely at all times of year, isn't it? But it's very possible that later on I might just pop into the British Museum for a tour (I especially love the Egyptian collections, don't you?), or even pay a visit to Buckingham Palace (never have received that invitation to tea, darn it!).

For now, I'm just planning to read books set during the Victorian Era, but my alternate list includes a few actually written during that period. And although I've only listed The Warden, I'd like to read the entire series of Trollope's Barsetshire novels, so we'll see what develops.

READING LIST:

Angels & Insects, by A.S. Byatt [finished; review to come]
The Master, by Colm Toibin [finished; review to come]
Mistress of Mellyn, by Victoria Holt
Mortal Love, by Elizabeth Hand

ALTERNATE LIST:

The Moonstone, by Wilkie Collins
The Woman in White, by Wilkie Collins
Affinity, by Sarah Waters
The Age of Innocence, by Edith Wharton [See Review]
The 19th Wife, by David Ebershoff
The Dante Club, by Matthew Pearl
The Warden, by Anthony Trollope

I'll be putting my reviews on my blog (Joy's Blog), and updating my progress here. Now to get started on that first book!